2007-11-07 04:46:07 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
a drinking fountain on a shipboard
2007-11-07 04:48:00 · answer #1 · answered by Tranquility 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Scuttlebutt in nautical terminology is a water fountain or water cask on a ship. It is now more commonly used as slang for "information" or "gossip".
Water for immediate consumption on a sailing ship was conventionally stored in a scuttled butt: a butt (cask or small barrel) which had been scuttled by making a hole in it so the water could be withdrawn. Since sailors exchanged gossip when they gathered at the scuttlebutt for a drink of water, scuttlebutt became Navy slang for gossip or rumors.
2007-11-07 12:52:00 · answer #2 · answered by Mike 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rumor. Usually associated with a ship or the military, especially the Navy.
Often times new policies will be leaked to the crew to gauge their reaction. So scuttlebutt often has some basis in fact, more so than pure rumor does.
2007-11-07 15:20:50 · answer #3 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scuttlebutt in nautical terminology is a water fountain or water cask on a ship.
It is now more commonly used as slang for "information" or "gossip".
It also is the name of a competitive event at many Sea Scout regattas.
2007-11-07 12:53:58 · answer #4 · answered by Rain 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not "a" but a mass noun "What is the scuttlebutt?" the rumors and information passed around at the lowest levels of an organization, supposedly the most accurate if you trust the people and who they know.
2007-11-07 12:52:25 · answer #5 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One definition is a drinking fountain on a ship but it is commonly used to define gossip or information.
2007-11-07 12:51:47 · answer #6 · answered by sandwest 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's gossiping about a drinking fountain on a ship
2007-11-07 12:55:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Something to do with a ship/boat. Also a seafood place in Lubbock, TX!
2007-11-07 13:05:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
(informal)
rumor; gossip
2007-11-07 12:50:48 · answer #9 · answered by qwerty 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋